BAPS Mahant Swami Maharaj's rakhi tied to Maha Governor Jishnu Dev Varma
Synopsis
On Raksha Bandhan, BAPS's Tirthswarup Swami tied a rakhi from Mahant Swami Maharaj to Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma in Mumbai — days after Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS Akshardham in New Jersey. The twin gestures highlight BAPS's deepening role as a bridge between Indian political leadership and the global Gujarati diaspora.
Key Takeaways
Tirthswarup Swami of BAPS tied a sacred rakhi from Mahant Swami Maharaj to Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on 28 August in Mumbai .
Governor Varma expressed appreciation for BAPS's spiritual and humanitarian initiatives and conveyed respects to Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Jersey during a week-long US-Canada tour.
Patel participated in the 'Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey' programme and met diaspora members, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
Gujarat contributes 8.2 per cent to India's GDP and aims to raise that share to more than 10 per cent by 2030 , Patel told the diaspora.
On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Tirthswarup Swami of the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai tied a sacred rakhi on behalf of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on 28 August. The gesture carried Mahant Swami Maharaj's personal blessings, which Tirthswarup Swami conveyed to the Governor during the interaction.
Governor's Appreciation for BAPS
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma expressed deep appreciation for BAPS's spiritual and humanitarian work, commending the organisation for its service to society. He also conveyed his heartfelt greetings and respects to Mahant Swami Maharaj, underscoring the warm ties between the Maharashtra Raj Bhavan and the Swaminarayan institution.
Gujarat CM's Visit to BAPS Akshardham in New Jersey
The rakhi ceremony comes days after Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Jersey during a week-long official tour of the United States and Canada. He was warmly received by BAPS saints at the temple, which serves as a prominent centre of Indian spirituality and culture abroad.
Chief Minister Patel lauded the temple's representation of Indian cultural and spiritual traditions, and praised the efforts of the Gujarati diaspora in preserving Indian values overseas. He also participated in the 'Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey' programme, calling upon the diaspora to actively partner in Gujarat's development journey.
Gujarat's Economic Pitch to the Diaspora
The Chief Minister's US-Canada tour was primarily aimed at attracting global investments and strengthening international partnerships for Gujarat. At the Young CEO Meet, he engaged with young entrepreneurs, technology experts, and business leaders across sectors.
Addressing the Gujarati diaspora, Patel highlighted Gujarat's economic contribution, stating that the state — accounting for six per cent of India's geographical area and roughly five per cent of its population — contributes 8.2 per cent to the country's GDP. He expressed confidence that this share would rise to more than 10 per cent by 2030.
BAPS's Expanding National Footprint
The dual developments — the rakhi ceremony in Mumbai and the CM's temple visit in New Jersey — reflect BAPS's growing stature as a bridge between Indian governance and the global diaspora. Notably, the organisation's outreach spans both spiritual diplomacy within India and cultural preservation efforts abroad, making it an increasingly significant institutional presence in public life.
Point of View
But its visibility in formal gubernatorial and chief-ministerial engagements is growing. What is less examined is how such gestures translate into policy goodwill for the organisation's land, infrastructure, and regulatory interests across states. The Gujarat GDP pitch to the diaspora, meanwhile, is a well-worn script — but the 10 per cent target by 2030 deserves scrutiny given that manufacturing and services diversification remain works in progress.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who tied the rakhi to Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Raksha Bandhan?
Tirthswarup Swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Mumbai tied the sacred rakhi on behalf of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on 28 August, the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
What is BAPS and who is Mahant Swami Maharaj?
BAPS stands for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a global Hindu socio-spiritual organisation headquartered in Gujarat. Mahant Swami Maharaj is its current spiritual head, revered by millions of followers worldwide.
Why did Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visit the BAPS Akshardham temple in New Jersey?
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Jersey as part of a week-long official US-Canada tour focused on attracting global investments and strengthening international partnerships for Gujarat. He was welcomed by BAPS saints and praised the temple's role in preserving Indian culture abroad.
What did Gujarat CM Patel say about Gujarat's contribution to India's GDP?
Patel told the Gujarati diaspora that Gujarat, with six per cent of India's geographical area and about five per cent of its population, contributes 8.2 per cent to the country's GDP. He expressed the state's ambition to raise that contribution to more than 10 per cent by 2030.
What was the 'Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey' programme?
'Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey' was a diaspora engagement programme in which Chief Minister Patel called upon Gujarati communities in the US to partner in Gujarat's development journey. It was one of several events during his week-long US-Canada tour alongside a Young CEO Meet with entrepreneurs and business leaders.
